Kelly Clarkson loses bid to keep Jane Austen ring

Kelly Clarkson has lost her fight to keep a ring once owned by British author Jane Austen.

The singer bought the turquoise and gold treasure at auction last year (12) for around $228,675, but Britain's Culture Minister Ed Vaizey put an export block on the piece in a bid to keep it in the U.K.

He gave other bidders until 30 September (13) to match Clarkson's offer, and curators at the Jane Austen's House Museum in Hampshire, England launched a campaign to raise enough money to buy it.

They have now succeeded in their goal after receiving a slew of public donations, including an anonymous gift of $150,000, and their bid for the ring has been accepted, meaning Clarkson will not be able to take possession of the piece.

The ring will go on display at the museum alongside two other pieces of jewellery once owned by the Pride and Prejudice author.

Clarkson insists she is happy for the ring to be kept in Britain: "The ring is a beautiful national treasure and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it at Jane Austen's House Museum."

Vaizey adds, "It's clear from the number of people who gave generously to the campaign just how admired Jane Austen remains to this day."